Page 81 of Cash

Yet, I was claiming her. And since she was mine, I wasn’t going to allow Stella to take off with her and shut me out again. I had to sort my head and while I was at it get a lock on the shit swirling around Stella. And while I was doing that, make sure I didn’t fuck up a seven-year-old little girl.

I was so lost in thought I jolted when I felt pain radiate.

The origin—my foot.

The cause—Stella.

Because, of course, the woman wouldn’t nudge my foot to get my attention—she’d stomped on it.

That was Stella—aggressive, to-the-point, and over-the-top.

And there was something seriously fucking wrong with me I found that to be a turn on.

Evidently, I didn’t pull my shit together fast enough for her even though I was turning my head to look at her when she made contact a second time.

“You kick me one more time, baby girl, you’ll be out of that chair, over my lap, and your ass will be red.”

“You try that and you’ll find just how good my right hook is while at the same learn my aim is excellent.”

I had no doubt.

And that turned me on, too.

Perhaps I was a closet masochist.

I felt my lips twitch. I saw her eyes narrow and her head tip to the side, undoubtedly plotting.

Oh, yeah, fuck yeah, she was a walking red flag.

“You think I’m joking?” she asked with more than a hint of sass.

I didn’t feel my lips twitch that time, I felt them curl up into a smile. “I know you’re not,” I assured her. “But neither am I.”

“You think you two can hit pause on the grab ass while we figure this shit out?” Zane grunted his command wrapped in a request.

“Sure,” I agreed, because the sooner this shit was taken care of the sooner I could get Stella and Cara back to my house. And tonight, after Cara went to sleep, Stella and I were having a come to Jesus.

Stella continued to glare at me. “Do you even know what shit Zane’s talking about?”

“Not a clue,” I admitted.

I’d been so lost in thought I hadn’t heard a word anyone had said.

“Does you taking a time out mean you sorted your head?” Zane asked.

It would take a lot more than a time out to sort out the mess of my life.

“About my girls? Yep.”

Stella jerked back and scowled. “What does that⁠—”

“It means after we figure out whatever problem Kira’s talking about, we’re going home⁠—”

“Home?”

“Home,” I confirmed then looked around the table, ignored all of my teammates giving me varying looks of surprise, and homed in on Kira. “Sorry, I zoned out. What’s the problem?”

Kira held my gaze for a few moments before she glanced at Zane and frowned. “Do you know what sucks big fat donkey balls?”